Group items tagged

The BRAIN Initiative and the neuroscience field as a whole are generating massive and diverse research data across different modalities, spatiotemporal scales and species in efforts to advance our understanding of the brain. The data types are being produced through development and application of innovative technologies in high-throughput -omics profiling, optical microscopy, electron microscopy, electrophysiological recording, macroscale neuroimaging, neuromodulation, and others. The BRAIN Initiative has made significant investments in the development of an infrastructure to make data available to the research community in a useful way. This infrastructure includes data archives, data standards, and software for data integration, analysis and machine learning. This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) encourages secondary analysis of the large amounts of existing data related to the BRAIN Initiative. The data do not need to be held in one of the funded BRAIN Initiative data archives, but the data must be held in a data archive that is readily accessible to the research community. Support will be provided for innovative analysis of relevant existing datasets using conventional or novel analytic methods, data science techniques, and machine learning approaches. Support may also be requested to prepare and submit existing data into any of the BRAIN Initiative data archives. Investigators should not underestimate the time and effort that may be necessary to curate or harmonize data.

The Administrator of the Administration for Community Living establishes a priority for the funding of a National Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Model Systems Data Center that advances medical rehabilitation by increasing the rigor and efficiency of scientific efforts to longitudinally assess the experience of individuals with TBI. This Data Center must maintain the national longitudinal database for data submitted by each of the TBIS Model Systems Centers. This Data Center must also ensure collection of high quality data and support rigorous research by the model system centers by monitoring data quality, providing training in collecting TBI Model Systems data, and providing methodological consultation to these centers.

wo classes of proposals will be considered in response to this solicitation: Research Proposals describing collaborative research projects, and Data Sharing Proposals to enable sharing of data and other resources. Domestic and international projects will be considered. As detailed in the solicitation, international components of collaborative projects may be funded in parallel by the participating agencies. Specific CRCNS opportunities for parallel funding are available for bilateral US-German Research Proposals, US-German Data Sharing Proposals, US-French Research Proposals, US-French Data Sharing Proposals, US-Israeli Research Proposals, US-Israeli Data Sharing Proposals, US-Japanese Research Proposals, US-Japanese Data Sharing Proposals, US-Spanish Research Proposals, US-Spanish Data Sharing Proposals, and multilateral proposals involving the United States and two or more CRCNS partner countries (please see Section VIII of the solicitation for country-specific instructions and limitations).

This initiative will foster collaborative and coordinated efforts to characterize the underlying genetic architecture of diverse neuropsychiatric phenotypes within and across rare genetic disorders and identify the shared genetic risk across rare and idiopathic neuropsychiatric disorders. Projects from multi-disciplinary teams will utilize genome-wide data to comprehensively assess the contribution of genetic variation to the variable expressivity and incomplete penetrance of neuropsychiatric phenotypes across rare genetic disorders. Projects are encouraged to leverage existing resources, cohorts, and collaborative networks with established infrastructure for consistent and high-quality phenotypic data collection and genomic data generation. Projects should seek to enhance the quality of the phenotypic data available for rare genetic disorders by developing or applying phenotyping methodologies that create a pipeline for standardizing assessments and that cut across rare genetic disorders and across developmental time points. Under this initiative, investigators will form a network to facilitate data sharing and harmonization of clinical and genetic data across different studies within the network, as well as accelerate characterization of genotype to phenotype relationships across rare genetic disorders. This network will also generate a resource of bio-samples, as well as phenotypic and genetic data for broader dissemination to the scientific community.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) intends to support a Brain Cell Data Center (BCDC) that will work with other BICCN Centers and interested researchers to establish a web-accessible information system to capture, store, analyze, curate, and display all data and metadata on brain cell types, and their connectivity. The BCDC is expected to: (1) lead the effort to establish spatial and semantic standards for managing heterogeneous brain cell census data types and information; (2) lead the effort to collect and register multimodal brain cell census data to common brain coordinate systems; (3) generate searchable 2D and 3D digital brain atlases for cell census data; and (4) generate a unified and comprehensive brain cell knowledge base that integrates all existing brain cell census data and information across diverse repositories.  A central goal of this and the three companion FOAs is to build a brain cell census resource that can be widely used throughout the research community.

This FOA invites applications from multidisciplinary teams to perform secondary data analysis, using existing datasets from two or more multi-site clinical research projects, to address scientific and clinical hypotheses relevant to neurological disorders and conditions within the NINDS mission. In this phased funding mechanism, applications are required to systematically and comprehensively perform cross-project data harmonization and curation, assessed using Go/No-go data-quality metrics, prior to funding of the second phase of data analyses. Consistent with the FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable) data principles, this funding opportunity expects open-source cataloging of the processes and tools used for harmonization, curation, and analysis, as well as controlled access to the curated datasets.

As part of a network, Centers are expected to participate in collaborative efforts on a national scale. Applicants must agree to collect a standard clinical data set (the Uniform Data Set, or UDS) that is common to all Centers and to transmit that data to the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC). Applicants should contact NACC to learn more about NACC procedures, the structure of the UDS, and the regular updates to the datasets required from all Centers at  http://www.alz.washington.edu/.  To support the unique research needs of the NACC, most Centers collect additional data to supplement those required by the UDS. These should also be made readily available to qualified investigators. Similarly, Centers should demonstrate a readiness to provide biological samples and data, with proper consent from well-characterized populations, to enable participation in large-scale, collaborative, national, or international research projects. Sample sharing may be done either locally or centrally through the National Centralized Repository for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (NCRAD). Centers are a local, regional, national, and international resource.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) intends to accelerate the integration and use of scalable technologies and tools to enhance and reinvigorate brain cell census research, including the development of technology platforms and/or resources that will enable a swift and comprehensive survey of brain cell types and circuits. Of particular interest are those that will (a) improve technology and resource platforms to remove limitations and bottlenecks in the current pipeline of brain cell census data generation; (b) integrate experimental and computational methods to enhance capabilities of cell census data generation and analysis and to reduce barriers to hypothesis-driven research; (c) generate a substantial amount of spatiotemporal cell census data and/or resources to demonstrate the utility of the improved technology and resource platforms; and (d) conduct comparative studies by using proper criteria to evaluate and benchmark quality of biospecimen, performance of cell census tools/technologies, and effectiveness of computational approaches. The projects funded under this FOA will align with the overarching goals of the BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Network (BICCN) and are expected to generate a substantial amount of cell census data using the proposed technologies or via collaboration with the BICCN.

The Michael J. Fox Foundation will award one- to three-year grants to develop imaging markers for use in disease-modifying clinical trials. Imaging is a powerful tool that can be used to visualize the structure and function of the brain in living subjects. While a variety of imaging techniques are available, including positron emission tomography (PET), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), none have been demonstrated to be a sensitive, specific and reliable biomarker test for the presence and progression of PD. Applications must focus on developing robust and precise imaging markers. Priority targets for this program are alpha-synuclein and neuroinflammation, but applications may focus on other promising therapeutic targets. Imaging modalities can include PET, SPECT and MRI. Projects should aim to develop novel imaging biomarkers as opposed to prospectively collecting data using existing technologies. Prospective data collection is appropriate only if a novel imaging technique or tracer is being tested. Novel data analysis techniques may be proposed but should utilize existing data sets. Examples of projects that are appropriate for this program include development of novel PET or SPECT tracers, early validation of new tracers, and development and validation of novel MRI techniques.

This FOA solicits new theories, computational models, and statistical tools to derive understanding of brain function from complex neuroscience data. Proposed tools could include the creation of new theories, ideas, and conceptual frameworks to organize/unify data and infer general principles of brain function; new computational models to develop testable hypotheses and design/drive experiments; and new mathematical and statistical methods to support or refute a stated hypothesis about brain function, and/or assist in detecting dynamical features and patterns in complex brain data. It is expected that the tools developed under this FOA will be made widely available to the neuroscience research community for their use and modification. Investigative studies should be limited to validity testing of the tools being developed.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is soliciting applications for a Human Biospecimen and Data Repository for Biomarkers Research ("Biomarkers Repository") in Neurological Disorders. Collaborative teams combining expertise in neuroscience, biomarkers, biospecimen handling, and data management are encouraged. Experience in biomarker research, such as evaluation of batch effects, protocol development, and analyte quality control measures, is expected. Successful applications will include a detailed description of 1) Administrative Structure, 2) Research and Resource Plan, and 3) Data Management and Web-Based activities.  

Professional services are required to develop and evaluate techniques for analyzing anatomical and functional brain data using deformable shape and appearance volume models (Metamorphs/Active Volume Models), stretching open active contours (SOAX), and advanced classification methods, including deep learning.  These methods will be investigated and state-of-the-art tools developed for the segmentation of brain MRI and diffusion imaging data and the analysis of fMRI data, with the aim of supporting research into understanding functional brain circuits and their anatomical correlations. Functional-anatomical atlases will be developed to facilitate comparisons across individuals and for statistical modeling.  The required work is projected to be a multi-year effort, with the first year concentrating on feasibility and prototype development.  Subsequent two-year work, if justified by first-year results, will concentrate on the  development and further evaluation of the prototypes as mature tools that contribute to the wider national research initiative to accurately model functioning of the human brain.

The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study is collecting data on health and mental health, cognitive function, substance use, cultural and environmental factors, and brain structure and function from youth starting when they are 9-10 years-old repeatedly for 10 years and makes that data available to the scientific community through the NIMH Data Archive. The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to encourage applications proposing the analysis of this public use dataset to increase knowledge of adolescent health and development. More information about the ABCD Study may be found on the ABCD Study web page (www.abcdstudy.org).

The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study is collecting data on health and mental health, cognitive function, substance use, cultural and environmental factors, and brain structure and function from youth starting when they are 9-10 years-old repeatedly for 10 years and makes that data available to the scientific community through the NIMH Data Archive. The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to encourage applications proposing the analysis of this public use dataset to increase knowledge of adolescent health and development. More information about the ABCD Study may be found on the ABCD Study web page (www.abcdstudy.org).

This FOA solicits new theories, computational models, and statistical tools to derive understanding of brain function from complex neuroscience data. Proposed tools could include the creation of new theories, ideas, and conceptual frameworks to organize/unify data and infer general principles of brain function; new computational models to develop testable hypotheses and design/drive experiments; and new mathematical and statistical methods to support or refute a stated hypothesis about brain function, and/or assist in detecting dynamical features and patterns in complex brain data. It is expected that the tools developed under this FOA will be made widely available to the neuroscience research community for their use and modification. Investigative studies should be limited to validity testing of the tools being developed.

The purpose of this FOA is to support innovative interdisciplinary, multi-institute research that will lead to the identification and validation of molecular mechanisms relevant to human biology that contribute to tau toxicity associated with Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD). It is anticipated that this research will also contribute to tool development that can be applied to target validation in FTD clinical trials.Applications must include an administrative core, a scientific governance structure, a minimum of three research projects with milestone plans, resource core(s) that support the basic research efforts of at least two proposed research projects, a data coordination core that will facilitate the distribution of data generated through the Center without Walls with the broad research community and a human biology validation core that will support the validation of mechanisms identified and resources developed under this FOA. Synergy must be evident among Center research projects and cores, such that successful completion of the aims could not be accomplished without the Center structure. This FOA is in response to the Alzheimer's Disease Related Dementias (ADRD) challenges outlined in the 2015 update to the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease.

The purpose of this FOA is to support innovative interdisciplinary, multi-institute research that will lead to the identification and validation of molecular mechanisms relevant to human biology that contribute to tau toxicity associated with Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD). It is anticipated that this research will also contribute to tool development that can be applied to target validation in FTD clinical trials.Applications must include an administrative core, a scientific governance structure, a minimum of three research projects with milestone plans, resource core(s) that support the basic research efforts of at least two proposed research projects, a data coordination core that will facilitate the distribution of data generated through the Center without Walls with the broad research community and a human biology validation core that will support the validation of mechanisms identified and resources developed under this FOA. Synergy must be evident among Center research projects and cores, such that successful completion of the aims could not be accomplished without the Center structure. This FOA is in response to the Alzheimer's Disease Related Dementias (ADRD) challenges outlined in the 2015 update to the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease.

The SCIMS program is designed to provide a multidisciplinary system of rehabilitation care specifically to meet the needs of individuals with SCI. To be eligible for a SCI Model Systems grant, an applicant institution must encompass a continuum of care for people with SCI, including emergency medical services, acute care services, acute medical rehabilitation services, and post-acute services. For purposes of this program, SCI is defined as a clinically discernible degree of neurologic impairment of the spinal cord following a traumatic event. NIDILRR currently supports 14 SCIMS centers through this program. The funding for these Centers is primarily used to conduct SCI research and to collect and send data to the SCIMS longitudinal database. SCIMS Centers will be funded at varying amounts up to the maximum award based on the numbers of subjects eligible for follow-up in the existing SCIMS longitudinal database. Existing centers with significantly larger numbers of subjects will receive higher funding within the specified range, as determined by NIDILRR after the applicant is selected for funding. Applicants provide detailed budgets for each research project and for data collection costs associated with the longitudinal database. Funding will be determined individually for each successful applicant, up to the maximum allowed, based upon the documented workload associated with the follow-up data collection, the other costs of the grant, and the overall budgetary limits of the program

The PRARP New Investigator Research Award (NIRA) mechanism is being offered for the first time in FY17. The intent of the FY17 PRARP NIRA is to support early-career investigators interested in novel research efforts or new technologies within TBI and AD/ADRD in support of the PRARP's mission (see Section II.A, Program Description). The FY17 PRARP NIRA is open to Principal Investigators (PIs) within 3 years of their first independent faculty position, from any field or discipline. As part of the application, the PI should demonstrate that the study team has experience in both TBI and AD/ADRD research. Preliminary data, while not required, are encouraged. Preliminary data may come from the PI's published work, pilot data, or from peer-reviewed literature. Note that PIs will be required to verify their eligibility for this award. The anticipated direct costs budgeted for the entire period of performance for an FY17 PRARP NIRA will not exceed $225,000. The maximum period of performance is 3 years.

The PRARP Quality of Life Research Award (QUAL) mechanism was first offered in FY13. Since then, 38 QUAL applications have been received, and 16 have been recommended for funding. The intent of the research funded through this award is to (1) support research to alleviate, stabilize, or characterize the symptoms or deficits common to TBI and AD/ADRD, and (2) reduce the burden of care on the caregiver for individuals living with the common symptoms of TBI and AD/ADRD. Research may be proposed to either facet of the intent. Both are equally important. As part of the research strategy, all applications must include cognitive, neuropsychological, or otherwise appropriate measures. The FY17 PRARP QUAL is open to Principal Investigators (PIs) at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent) from any field or discipline. As part of the application, the PI should demonstrate that the study team has experience in both TBI and AD/ADRD research. Preliminary data, while not required, are encouraged. Preliminary data may come from the PI's published work, pilot data, or from peer-reviewed literature. Applications should also address how all of the included study measures address the research strategy and the study's hypothesis or hypotheses. The anticipated direct costs budgeted for the entire period of performance for an FY17 PRARP QUAL will not exceed $500,000. The maximum period of performance is 3 years.

The PRARP Convergence Science Research Award (CSRA) mechanism was first offered in FY12. Since then, 195 CSRA applications have been received, and 36 have been recommended for funding. The intent of the FY17 PRARP CSRA is to support efforts to generate research resources, tools, or novel research efforts for researchers and/or practitioners in health sciences related to the PRARP's mission (see Section II.A, Program Description). The FY17 PRARP CSRA is open to Principal Investigators (PIs) at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent) from any field or discipline. As part of the application, the PI should demonstrate that the study team has experience in both TBI and AD/ADRD research. Preliminary data, while not required, are encouraged. Preliminary data may come from the PI's published work, pilot data, or from peer-reviewed literature. The anticipated direct costs budgeted for the entire period of performance for an FY17 PRARP CSRA will not exceed $500,000. The maximum period of performance is 3 years.